Devontae Booker is looking to make an impact on the Denver Broncos backfield. The 24-year-old is still learning the game at a professional level, but Booker feels as if he has a lot to offer. And with the uncertainty at quarterback, the Broncos could certainly use it.
Leading all Bronco running backs with nine carries for 36 yards last weekend, Booker is gaining experience and becoming more comfortable with the playbook.
“It’s slowed down quite a bit. Coming out here for training camp, I’m a rookie, you know? I have a little jitters everyday, not knowing what you are going to get into in practice,” Booker told Les Shapiro and Eric Goodman on the Afternoon Drive on Mile High Sports Radio. “But when the game comes, everything is starting to slow down. My preparation through the week and the day before the game makes the game and everything much more easier.”
Beginning the offseason behind CJ Anderson and Ronnie Hillman, Booker never settled for a backup role. His mindset has been the same since the day he walked into training camp: He’s here to “take someone’s job.”
And he’s put in the work to do just that.
“(I) just come out here everyday, work my butt off and competing out here with C.J. (Anderson) and Ronnie (Hillman) and all those guys, making each and every one of us better in the back field,” Booker said. “With them competing with me, it makes me go even harder, and I am pretty sure it does the same to them.”
Drafted out of the University of Utah in the fourth round of the NFL draft, Booker feels like he’s getting the help he needs to become the best running back he can be. And he owes a big thanks to running backs coach Eric Studesville.
“(Studesville) and all the other guys in the room … having them help me out with the things I don’t remember or didn’t know at first,” Booker said. “Just really getting a better understanding of the offense.”
As a senior, at the University of Utah, Booker had 1,261 yards and 11 touchdowns on 268 carries before an injured knee ended his season. It looks like Booker’s knee is healed, and he’s ready to make a statement in the Broncos’ backfield.
To hear the full interview with Devontae Booker, listen to the podcast below…
https://soundcloud.com/milehighsports/8-23-16-the-guys-catch-up-with-devontae-booker-about-his-rookie-campaign
Catch Afternoon Drive with Goodman and Shapiro Monday-Friday from 4p-6p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of Colorado sports from Denver’s biggest sports talk lineup.